FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and Elevate Ventures announced today continued collaboration to support entrepreneurship in the region.

The Regional Partnership and Elevate signed a regional agreement for advanced program support for 2017-2020.

“Our vision is to be regarded as a value-added partner, resource and community catalyst for developing high-performing, high-growth, Indiana-based businesses. This agreement represents Northeast Indiana’s commitment to building a sustainable culture of entrepreneurship and innovation for the 11 county region,” said Chris LaMothe, CEO of Elevate Ventures.

The funding will support Elevate’s mission to create sustainable cultures and infrastructure across Indiana that support the ongoing development and success of entrepreneurs.

“Entrepreneurship is critical to growing the region’s economy. Parkview Health is committed to commercialization of innovation that is alive and thriving in our region,” said Mike Packnett, President and CEO of Parkview Health.

As of April 2017, in partnership with the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, Elevate Ventures is working to wrap up the last 20 percent of the funding to reach their goal of $1 million.

“Continued investment in Northeast Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is critical to the success and economic growth of the region. Thanks to Elevate Ventures’ commitment to collaboration, we are empowered to encourage, support and invest in big, innovative ideas,” said John Sampson, President and CEO of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership.

The region has also formed the Northeast Indiana Entrepreneurship Advisory Board. The advisory board will oversee the development and execution of a strategic plan for the sustained entrepreneurial and innovative culture in Northeast Indiana.

To strengthen the resources available for entrepreneurs in Northeast Indiana, the Regional Opportunities Council (ROC) made establishment of Elevate Ventures in the region a priority under Vision 2020 in 2011 and raised $760,000 of private sector support to get it started.

Elevate fulfills its mission by providing rigorous business analysis and robust advisory services that connect companies with the resources they need to succeed long-term. Elevate provides more than just capital as it partners with entrepreneurs, investors and other Indiana local and state organizations to ensure the best return on investment.

To learn more about Northeast Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Elevate Ventures or Entrepreneurship-in-Residence Robert Clark, visit the website at www.neindiana.com/entrepreneurship.

About Elevate Ventures

Elevate Ventures is a private venture development organization that nurtures and develops emerging and existing high-potential businesses into high-performing, Indiana-based companies. Elevate Ventures accomplishes this by providing access to capital, rigorous business analysis and robust advisory services that connect companies with the right mix of resources businesses need to succeed long term. To learn more about Elevate Ventures, its team and its funds under management, visit www.elevateventures.com.

About the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership

The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership was formed in 2006 to build a globally competitive economy in Northeast Indiana. It is a public-private partnership with the mission to build, market and sell Northeast Indiana to increase business investment. In 2010, the Partnership launched Vision 2020 to bring the region together around five key areas for economic growth: 21st Century Talent, Competitive Business Climate, Entrepreneurship, Infrastructure and Quality of Life. The Partnership supports 11 member counties: Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley counties. For more information, visit www.neindiana.com/news.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

John Sampson
President and CEO
Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
260.469.3471john@NEIndiana.com